Ange Postecoglou demands a huge performance from his players on Sunday when Tottenham Hotspur host Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Australian had one heated exchange with traveling Tottenham fans on Thursday evening following a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth, with pressure mounting on the Spurs manager after another string of disappointing performances and results. Playing with pride and getting a positive result on Sunday is of great importance.
Defensive injuries are weakening Postecoglou’s hand at the moment and Ben Davies is the latest casualty at the back for Tottenham. Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario are also absent from the backline for this weekend’s London derby, worrying news as they welcome one of the Premier League’s most prolific sides.
Here’s how Tottenham might queue on sunday.
GK: Fraser Forster – Vicario’s absence continues to be frustrating for Spurs, but the experienced Forster has done an admirable job since breaking into the team. He made some impressive saves in the defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
RB: Pedro Porro – Porro was only used from the bench against Bournemouth but will return to the starting line-up on Sunday. He will have to light up against players like Pedro Neto and Joao Felix.
CB: Cristian Romero – With Davies injured, Spurs could use Romero. The World Cup winner has returned to team training and could feature at the weekend, with Archie Gray on hand as an emergency option.
CB: Radu Dragusin – After another torrid outing from Dragusin in midweek, the Romanian will retain his place in the starting XI only out of necessity. He has been unconvincing in Van de Ven’s absence.
LB: Destiny Udogie – Noni Madueke has been in impressive form Chelsea and it will be Udogie’s job to keep the energetic Englishman quiet. Madueke scored and assisted against Southampton in midweek and is one to watch this weekend. It should be noted that Udogie was sent off in this game in the last quarter.
CM: Dejan Kulusevski – Even the in-form Kulusevski was unable to unlock his usually high standards on the south coast. He could return to attacking midfield against Chelsea after starting at right-back on Thursday.
CM: Yves Bissouma – With Rodrigo Bentancur suspended, Bissouma has been the man to anchor Spurs’ midfield on the pitch Premier League recently He will have his hands full trying to stifle the brilliant Cole Palmer.
CM: Papa Matar Sarr – The midfielder has played a lot of football in recent weeks and could be rested against Chelsea, even if impressive alternatives are lacking. If he starts, he must be more influential than against the Cherries.
RW: Brennan Johnson – The Welshman’s four-goal run came to an end in an uncharacteristically underwhelming display on Thursday. Marc Cucurella will have to watch out for Johnson’s diabolical back routes.
ST: Dominic Solanke – It’s easy to forget that Solanke was previously a Chelsea player, although he only made one senior appearance for the club. He would love to defeat his old side on Sunday after going Spurs’ last four games without a goal.
LW: Son Heung-min – Son was surprisingly rested on the south coast, only entering the fray just before the hour mark. The South Korean’s record against Chelsea is surprisingly poor, with just two goals in 19 games. He has not scored in this game since 2018.
